Machines for filling beer kegs and like containers

ABSTRACT

A machine for filling from below beer kegs and similar containers having in one end a filling opening provided with a self-closing valve and a spear has a container support which is mounted so that it is movable upwards and downwards by a driving mechanism and has its filling head with the usual duct for the supply of liquid through the filling opening around the spear and a duct for withdrawing gas through the spear arranged so that it is movable with the support to which it is attached by a resilient mounting, which may be for example a pneumatic ram, and has an abutment mounted above the support. The parts of the machine are arranged so that, in order to fill a container after it has been moved into the machine, the support is moved upwards under the container and the container is raised until it is clamped between the support and the abutment and the head is held against the filling opening by the resilient mounting with the force between the filling head and the part of the container surrounding the filling opening dependent entirely upon the resilient mounting. One form of beer keg or like container for holding other potable liquids has a filling opening provided with a self-closing valve and a spear which is a tube extending downwards into the container from the valve. To draw beer or other liquids from such containers, a fitting is applied to the filling opening and carbon dioxide or other gas under pressure is applied to the surface of the liquid in the container so that the liquid is forced upwards through the spear and out through a tube which communicates through the fitting with the inside of the spear. Such containers may be filled in automatic filling machines in an upright position with the filling opening uppermost, in which case a filling head which is applied to the filling opening has a duct for the supply of liquid through the spear, and air or other gas which is supplied to the container to provide a back pressure flows out of the container through the outside part of the filling opening around the spear and through a further duct in the filling head. Alternatively the container can be filled from below with the container in an inverted position. In this case the filling machine has a filling head with a duct for the supply of liquid through the filling opening around the outside of the spear and air or other gas is drawn off through the spear and through a duct in the head which communicates with the inside of the spear. Generally speaking, the area of the passage through the filling opening around the outside of the spear is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bore of the spear and therefore filling can take place more rapidly from below with the liquid flowing in through the larger area and the gas being exhausted through the smaller area. In the past, with machines for filling such containers from below, the filling head has been applied to the filling opening by raising it from below and to enable sufficient pressures to be obtained between the filling head and the part of the container surrounding the filling opening to achieve a satisfactory seal, the container has been raised by the head and clamped between the head and an abutment above. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that as the container is filled, the weight of the liquid within the container is supported entirely by the head and thus as filling takes place the force exerted by the head on the part of the container surrounding the filling opening, which is usually in the center of one end of the container, gradually increases. When filling is completed, this force becomes so great that the end of the container may be dented. The aim of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage and to this end, according to this invention a machine for filling from below beer kegs and similar containers having in one end a filling opening provided with a self-closing valve and a spear, has a container support which is mounted so that it is movable upwards and downwards by a driving mechanism and has its filling head with the usual duct for the supply of liquid through the filling opening around the spear and a duct for withdrawing gas through the spear, arranged so that it is movable with the support to which it is attached by a resilient mounting, and has an abutment mounted above the support, the arrangement being that to fill a container after it has been moved into the machine the support is moved upwards under the container and the container is raised until it is clamped between the support and the abutment and the head is held against the filling opening by the resilient mounting. With this arrangement the force between the filling head and the part of the container surrounding the filling opening is dependent entirely upon the resilient mounting and is quite independent of the weight of the container and its contents and the clamping force between the support and the abutment. As filling of the container proceeds, the weight of the liquid is transferred through the periphery of the container to the support and no damage to the container results. Generally such containers are provided with peripheral skirts which extend beyond necks surrounding the filling openings so that the necks are not damaged as the containers are handled and transported and in this case the support is arranged to engage with the free end of the skirt. The resilient mounting by which the head is carried on the support may consist of compression spring which urges the head upwards relatively to the support, but allows it to be pushed downwards against the action of the spring, but it preferably comprises a pneumatic ram which is capable of positively moving the head upwards and downwards relatively to the support, but, when the head is in its uppermost position relative to the support it is permitted to be pushed downwards against the air pressure within the ram. Where the machine is intended only to fill containers all of the same height, the abutment against which the container is clamped while it is being filled may be fixed in position. However, to enable the machine to fill containers of different heights, the abutment is preferably mounted so that it is movable upwards and downwards so that it can be set in position in dependence upon the height of a container introduced into the machine. To enable it to be moved upwards and downwards and set in position in this way, the abutment may be provided with a pneumatic ram. Where, as is preferred for the automatic handling and filling of containers, the containers are conveyed in succession to the filling machine by an endless conveyor from which the containers are lifted as the container support and head are raised, the pneumatic ram carrying the abutment is operated as a container enters the machine so that it moves the abutment downwards to meet the container as this is raised by the support and the head. Preferably the ram which raises and lowers the container support, and the ram which forms the resilient mounting and raises and lowers the head relatively to the support are operated so that the following sequence takes place: Initially the support is lowered and the ram forming the resilIent mounting is extended. As a container enters the machines, the ram carrying the support is extended so that the support and with it the head are raised. Because the ram carrying the head is extended, the head comes into contact with the neck of the container before the support comes into contact with the free edge of the bottom skirt of the container. The pressure in the ram mounting the head is sufficient to carry the weight of the empty container and thus the container is raised by the head until it comes into contact with the abutment which has in the meantime been moved downwards by a distance which is dependent upon the height of the keg. When the keg comes into contact with the abutment, the force between the container neck and the head is increased so that the head is pushed downwards relatively to the support against the air pressure in the ram on which the head is mounted. The upward movement of the support relatively to the head brings the support into contact with the bottom skirt of the container so that the container is clamped between the support and the abutment. Filling then takes place. When filling is complete, the support is lowered so that container is lowered onto a conveyor. As the weight of the container is taken by the conveyor and the support continues to move downwards, the air in the ram carrying the head expands so that the head moves upwards relatively to the support and remains in engagement with the container neck after the support has moved out of contact with the container skirt. Continued downward movement of the support then disengages the head form from the container neck and the conveyor transports the container from the machine. The upward movement of the head relative to the support leaves the head in its extended position ready for the introduction of a further container into the machine.

United States Patent [7 21 Inventor Maurice Ruddiek Strood, Rochester, England [21 Appl. N 0. 795,988

[22] Filed Feb. 3, I969 [45] Patented Feb. 16, 1971 [73] Assignee Burnett & Rolfe Limited Strood, Kent, England [32] Priority Feb. 16, 1968 [33] Great Britain [54] MACHINES FOR FILLING BEER KEGS AND LIKE CONTAINERS 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 141/59,

, 1411113,]41/270 [51] Int. (I B65b3l/06 [50] Field ofSearch 141/113,

59, 172, 253, 277, 53(lnquired); 141/267, 270, 276, 279, 356, 372, 390, 391

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,638,916 5/1953 Scheiwer 141/113 3,277,929 10/1966 Cook 141/113X 660,740 10/1900 Wall 141/113 1,058,097 4/1913 Phelps 141/113X 1,568,129 H1926 Billows 141/113X 2,189,852 2/1940 Yejeski 141/113X 2,210,017 8/1940 Wetherby-Williams et Primary Examiner- Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney-Holcombe, Wetherill & Brisebois ABSTRACT: A machine for filling from below beer kegs and similar containers having in one end a. filling opening provided with a self-closing valve and a spear has a container support which is mounted so that it is movable upwards and downwards by a driving mechanism and has its filling head with the usual duct for the supply of liquid through the filling opening around the spear and a duct for withdrawing gas through the spear arranged so that it is movable with the support to which it is attached by a resilient mounting, which may be for example a pneumatic ram, and has an abutment mounted above the support. The parts of the machine are "arranged so that, in order to fill a container after it has been moved into the machine, the support is moved upwards under the container and the container is raised until it is clamped between the support and the abutment and the head is held against the filling opening by the resilient mounting with the force between the filling head and the part of the container surrounding the filling opening dependent entirely upon the resilient mounting.

PATENTEU FEB 1 6 I97! Y sum 1 [1F 2 4 MACHINES FOR FILLING BEER KEGS AND LIKE CONTAINERS One form of beer keg or like container for holding other potable liquids has a filling opening provided with a self-closing valve and a spear which is a tube extending downwards into the container from thevalve. To draw beer or other liquids from such containers, a fitting is applied to the filling opening and carbon dioxide or other gas under pressure is applied to the surface of the liquid in the container so that the liquid is forced upwards through thespear and out through a tube which communicatesthrough the fitting with the inside of the spear.

Such containers maybe filled in automatic filling machines in an upright position with the filling opening uppermost, in which case a filling head which is applied to the filling opening has a duct for the supply of liquid through the spear, and air or other gas which is supplied to the container to provide a back pressure flows out of the container through the outside part of the filling opening around the spear and through a further duct in the filling head. Alternatively the container can be filled from below with the container in an inverted position. In this case the filling machine has a filling head with a duct for the supplyof liquid through the filling opening around the outside of the spear and air or other gas is drawn off through the spear and through a duct in the head which communicates with the inside of the spear.

Generally speaking, the area of the passage through the filling opening around the outside of the spear is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bore of the spear and therefore filling can take place more rapidly from below with the liquid flowing in through the larger area and the gas being exhausted through the smaller area.

ln the past, with machines for filling such containers from below, the filling head has been applied to the filling opening by raising it from below and to enable sufficient pressures to be obtained between the filling head and the part of the container surrounding the filling opening to achieve a satisfactory seal,the container has been raised by the head and clamped between the head and an abutment above.

The disadvantage of this arrangement is that as the container is filled, the weight of the liquid within the container is supported entirely by the head and thus as filling takes place the force exerted by the head on the part of the container surrounding the filling opening, which is usually in the center of one end of the container, gradually increases. When filling is completed, this force becomesso great that the end of the container may be dented.

The aim of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage and to this end, according to this invention a machine for filling from below beer kegs and similar containers having.

in one end a filling opening provided with a self-closing valve and aspear, has a container support which is mounted so that it is movable upwards and downwards by a driving mechanism and has its filling head with the usual duct for the supply of liquid through the filling opening around the spear and a duct for withdrawing gas through the spear, arranged so that it is movablewith the support to which'itis attached by a resilient mounting, and has an abutment mounted abovethe support, the arrangement being that to fill a container after it has been moved into the machine the support is moved upwards under the container and the container is raised until it is clamped between the support and the abutment and the head is held against the filling opening by the resilient mounting.

With this arrangement the force between the filling head and the part of the container surrounding the filling opening is dependent entirely upon the resilient mounting and is quite independent of the weight of the container and its contents and the clamping force between the support and the abutment. As filling of the container proceeds, the weight of the liquid is transferred through the periphery of the container to the support and no damage to the container results.

Generally such containers are provided with peripheral skirts which extend beyond necks surrounding the filling openings so that the necks are not damaged as the containers are handled and transported and in this case the support is arranged to engage with the free end of the skirt.

The resilient mounting by which the head is carried on the support may consist of compression spring which urges the head upwards relatively to the support, but allows it to be pushed downwards against the action of the spring, but it preferably comprises a pneumatic ram which is capable of positively moving the head upwards and downwards relatively to the support, but, when the head is in its uppermost position relative to the support it is permitted to be pushed downwards against the air pressure within the ram.

Where the machine is intended only to fill containers all of the same height, the abutment against which the container is clamped while it is being filled may be fixed in position. However, to enable the machine to fill containers of different heights, the abutment is preferably mounted so that it is movable upwards and downwards so that it can be set in position in dependence upon the height of a container introduced into the machine.

To enable it to be moved upwards and downwards and set in position in this way, the abutment. may be provided with a pneumatic ram.

Where, as is preferred for the automatic handling and filling of containers, the containers are conveyed in succession to the filling machine by an endless conveyor from which the containers are lifted as the container support and head are raised, the pneumatic ram carrying the abutment is operated as a container enters the machine so that it moves the abutment downwards to meet the container as this is raised by the support and the head.

Preferably the ram which raises and lowers the container support, and the ram which forms the resilient mounting and raises and lowers the head relatively to the support are operated so that the following sequence takes place:

Initially the support is lowered and the ram forming the resilient mounting is extended. As a container enters the machines, the ram carrying the support is extended so that the support and with it the head are raised. Because the ram carry ing the head is extended, the head comes into contact with the neck of the container before the support comes into contact with the free edge of the bottom skirt of the container. The pressure in the ram mounting the head is sufficient to carry the weight of the empty container and thus the container is raised by the head until it comes into contact with the abutment which has in the meantime been moved downwards by a distance which is dependent upon the height of the keg. When the keg comes into contact with the abutment, the force between the container neck and the head is increased so that the head is pushed downwards relatively to the support against the air pressure in the ram on which the head is mounted. The upward movement of the support relatively to the head brings the support into contact with the bottom skirt of the container so that the container is clamped between the support and the abutment. Filling then takes place.

When filling is complete, the support is lowered so that container is lowered onto a conveyor. As the weight of the container is taken by the conveyor and the support continues to move downwards, the air in the ram carrying the head expands so that the head moves upwards relatively to the support and remains in engagement with the container neck after the sup port has moved out of contact with the container skirt. Continued downward movement of the support then disengages the head form from the container neck and the conveyor transports the container from the machine. The upward movement of the head relative to the support leaves the head in its extended position ready for the introduction of a further container into the machine.

An example of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated somewhat:diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are similar partly sectional side views of the machine and of a container, showing the machine and the container at successive stages of the operation of the machine.

A keg 1 to be filled is of the kind comprising a cylindrical metal shell 2 having a domed end 3, which normally forms the top of the key but is at the bottom as shown with the keg inverted, provided with a neck 4. The bottom of the keg is similarly formed but, of course, without the neck 4. The domed top and bottom of the keg are inset so that the shell 2 forms peripheral skirts 5 and 6 at the two ends of the keg. Within the neck 4 is a self-closing valve 7 and a spear 8 extends from the valve 7 almost to the bottom of the keg.

The filling machine itself comprises a base plate 9 on which a cylinder 10 of a pneumatic ram 11 is fixed. The pneumatic ram 11 has a piston 12 to which a housing 13 is fixed. The housing 13 contains the lower end ofa further pneumatic ram 14 having a cylinder 15 and a piston rod 15a fixed to the piston 12.

Mounted on the upper end of the cylinder 15 is a filling head 16 which is again in itself of a well known kind and includes a duct for the supply of liquid through the neck 4 around the outside of the valve 7 and a further duct for the application of carbon dioxide under pressure through the spear 8 whence it is applied to the free surface of the liquid in the keg 1 as the keg is filled. The gas is withdrawn through this duct as filling proceeds.

Fixed to the top of the housing 13 is the bottom of a well 17 through which the ram 14 extends and at the top of the well 17 is an annular platform 18 in the form of a circular flange projecting from the top of the well.

A further pneumatic ram 19 is mounted coaxially above the ram 14'and has a cylinder 20 and a piston rod 21 carrying an abutment plate 22.

In operation, the keg l is conveyed by a chain conveyor 23 into the machine, that is into the position shown in FIG. 1 at 1'. While this is happening, the ram 11 is retracted and the ram 14 is extended so that the keg supporting platform 18 lies well below the conveyor 23 and the head 16 projects above the platform 18, but is nevertheless also below the conveyor 23. The ram 11 is then extended whilst at the same time a pneumatic pressure remains applied to the ram 14 to hold the head 16 in its uppermost position relatively to the platform 18.

This causes the platform 18 and the head 16 to rise into the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings in which the head 16 has come into engagement with the neck 4 and the skirt 5 is lifted just clear of the conveyor 23. At this time the keg l is empty and the pressure in the ram 14 is sufficient to cause the head 16 to remain extended and support the skirt 5 clear of the platform 18.

After this, continued extension of the ram 11 brings the skirt 6 into contact with the abutment plate 22 which is held in position by pressure in the ram 19. The thrust applied to the skirt 6 by the abutment plate 22 together with the weight of the keg l overcomes the pneumaticpressure in the ram 14 and causes the head 16 to be pushed back resiliently against this air pressure to bring the skirt 5 into engagement with the supporting platform 18. The keg l is then clamped between the platfoi'm 18 and the abutment plate22 and the force between the head 16 and the neck 4 is dependent solely upon the pressure within the ram 14.

When this position is reached, the head 16 is operated in the conventional way to open the valve 7 and beer or other liquid is then supplied through the head 16 around the outside of the valve 7 in the manner already described against a carbon dioxide back pressure applied through the head 16 and the spear 8. As the keg 1 is filled, the weight of the beer supplied to it is transferred entirely through the skirt 5 to the supporting platform 18.

When filling is complete, the head 16 is operated to close the valve 7 and then the ram 11 is retracted. This transfers the filled keg back onto the conveyor 23 and as soon as it is supported in this way, the platform 18 starts to move away from the skirt 5. Initially, when this happens, the head 16 remains in engagement with the neck 4 as the thrust on the head 16 has decreased and in consequence the head 16 is moved upwards relatively to the platform 18 by the air pressure in the ram 14.

When the ram 14 reaches its full extension, the head 16 also moves downwards and the position shown in FIG. 1 18 again reached. The keg l is then conveyed away from the machine by the conveyor 23 and the machine is ready for the introduction into it of another keg.

If a subsequent keg is of smaller height than the keg 1 shown in the drawings, the ram 19 is extended at the same time as the ram 11 is extended and in this way the abutment plate 22 is moved downwards towards the skirt 6 as the keg l is moved upwards. Thus the smaller keg is clamped between the platform 18 and the abutment plate 22 with the platform 18 and the skirt 5 of the keg in the same position as that shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

lclaim:

1. In a machine for filling an inverted beer keg or similar container having at one end a filling opening and a self-closing valve and a spear in said filling opening, said machine including a filling head for engaging said filling opening, means in said filling head defining a duct for the supply of liquid through said filling opening around said spear and means defining a duct for withdrawing gas through said spear and means for moving said spear and means for moving said filling head upwards and downwards to apply said filling head to and from said filling opening, the improvement comprising a container support adapted to engage said container radially outward of said filling opening, a driving mechanism for moving said support upwards and downwards, means mounting said filling head on said support and lifting means for imparting to said filling head limited upward and downward movement relative to said support, an abutment and means mounting said abutment above said support whereby, to fill a container after it has been moved into said machine, said support is moved upwards under said container by said driving mechanism and lifts said container until it is clamped between said support and said abutment and said head is held against said filling opening by said lifting means.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lifting means includes a pneumatic ram which is capable of positively moving said head upwards and downwards relative to said support, but when said head is moved upwards relatively to said support said head is permitted to be pushed downwards against air pressure in said ram and said air pressure then resiliently urges said head upwards relative to said support.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support includes a platform, means defining a central well in said platform, said lifting means holding said head in said well and wherein said driving mechanism for moving said support upwards and downwards includes a pneumatic ram.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means mounting said abutment for upward and downward adjustment whereby said abutment can be set in position in dependence upon the height of a container introduced into said machine.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means adjustably mounting said abutment includes a pneumatic ram. 

1. In a machine for filling an inverted beer keg or similar container having at one end a filling opening and a self-closing valve and a spear in said filling opening, said machine including a filling head for engaging said filling opening, means in said filling head defining a duct for the supply of liquid through said filling opening around said spear and means defining a duct for withdrawing gas through said spear and means for moving said spear and means for moving said filling head upwards and downwards to apply said filling head to and from said filling opening, the improvement comprising a container support adapted to engage said container radially outward of said filling opening, a driving mechanism for moving said support upwards and downwards, means mounting said filling head on said support and lifting means for impartinG to said filling head limited upward and downward movement relative to said support, an abutment and means mounting said abutment above said support whereby, to fill a container after it has been moved into said machine, said support is moved upwards under said container by said driving mechanism and lifts said container until it is clamped between said support and said abutment and said head is held against said filling opening by said lifting means.
 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lifting means includes a pneumatic ram which is capable of positively moving said head upwards and downwards relative to said support, but when said head is moved upwards relatively to said support said head is permitted to be pushed downwards against air pressure in said ram and said air pressure then resiliently urges said head upwards relative to said support.
 3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support includes a platform, means defining a central well in said platform, said lifting means holding said head in said well and wherein said driving mechanism for moving said support upwards and downwards includes a pneumatic ram.
 4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means mounting said abutment for upward and downward adjustment whereby said abutment can be set in position in dependence upon the height of a container introduced into said machine.
 5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means adjustably mounting said abutment includes a pneumatic ram. 